Rehearsal Dinner Serve Alcohol Or Not

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

Our son is getting married, and we are planning to host the rehearsal dinner. My wife and I never drink alcohol, but our son and his fiance and her family enjoy alcoholic beverages.

I am concerned about the cost of alcoholic beverages. Is there a polite way to limit or eliminate what I pay for alcoholic beverages at the rehearsal dinner? Or, shall I just pay for what they order?

Signed,

Concerned

Dear Concerned,

As host of the rehearsal dinner, you can decide whether or not to have alcohol served. You can limit the alcohol to a glass of wine for those who drink. It would also be acceptable to serve a non-alcoholic beverage with some carbonation for some sparkle and fun. Because the rehearsal dinner is normally held the night before the wedding heavy drinking should be discouraged.